PAJAR Women's Grip Boot Review

I recently moved, and my new city has extremely cold winters with very heavy snow/blizzards. Typical New England/Midwest winters. I needed a pair of boots that I could wear through freezing puddles of slush, as well as salty and icy roads and knee-high snowdrifts. I sometimes have to walk long distances outdoors for work, so I needed something that was also incredibly warm for our many days of subzero temperatures.I bought these boots after doing a bunch of research and looking at various different varieties of boots. Initially, the boots I wanted were the Sorel Joan of Arctic boots, which weren't available in my size anywhere. I also looked at the LL Bean boots, a pair from Land's End, and a few from Merrill. I eventually settled on these. If I had been able to find the black Joan of Arctic boots I prob would have bought those because I felt like the Joan boots were a bit more trendy-looking. However, I'm now really glad I got these instead. These are higher boots - on me (a shorter person) they end an inch below the knee. The other boots I mentioned are almost all much shorter, going maybe six-ten inches up the calf. That's fine if you're not dealing with freezing winds. I am really glad I ended up with these boots, because that extra height really helps keep my legs warm.I chose these boots because they were rated down to -30, and that's a pretty accurate assessment. They are incredibly warm. I have walked a mile in these, and the other day I waited 40 minutes in -10 degree weather for a bus (outside, standing on a patch of ice) and I really didn't feel the cold at all. The downside to this - and one of the downsides to this boot - is that they do get warm indoors. They don't feel tight or uncomfortable, but your feet might get a little sweaty over the course of the day. But having them has completely changed my experience of commuting outdoors. I've worn them in 1-2" deep puddles of water, and they haven't leaked at all. (I haven't tried wading through really deep water.)The one other con is that they fit a bit narrow. I am a shoe size 7.5 to 8, and I bought the boots in a size 8-8.5. With a pair of lightweight socks on, I can feel the sides of the boot. My feet are on the wider side, but my point is that you should definitely size up, especially if you plan on wearing winter socks.In terms of looks - I have the charcoal gray color. I really wanted the black, but they were out of it. That said, I have later realized that one of the benefits of gray is that it is less likely to show salt stains. This is important, since all the roads here are salted to melt the ice (I'm making it sound like I live in Siberia, but these days it really feels like Siberia would be warmer.) These boots are high, and they definitely look like winter boots. I saw more streamlined boots out there. The canvas feels a bit workman like, and the fact that they come up so high means that dresses/etc can look...well, different, to say the least. I felt like their style profile was not very high, but the other day a friend of mine told me they looked cute, so maybe I am wrong. They are a bit heavier than they look in the picture, in the sense that the material is fairly thick (they're actually really lightweight to wear)Price wise, these were in the middle of the pack for the boots I considered buying. For that price, I think they're extraordinary value. The details really suggest a company that is incredibly familiar with how to make good boots for really cold weather. They're not just high-quality, they're incredibly well-designed. The fleece on the inside (probably synthetic?) is insanely warm and cozy. It feels like your legs are getting a hug. These boots are perfect for college students in cold climates in the US (lots of walking). Pajar is a Canadian company, and this gave me confidence because I figured they would know how to make cold weather boots. Their website features several styles (including a few incredibly gorgeous ones) that are upwards of $400, so this is a good price for the company and the brand.I honestly wish I could give these boots more stars. I am rarely this happy and satisfied with a purchase. They have improved my life way beyond what I initially expected.UPDATE: I've continued to wear these through the winter, and I'm really happy with how they've held up in snow, rain and cold. They've definitely made my life in a snowy city much, much easier.

Oh my gosh, these boots are MAGNIFICENT. Here's why:1.) I got them in Dark Brown/Military, and they're just the most beautiful shade of green! They look like total adventure-girl boots. I love wearing them.2.) I'm 5'11" and have obnoxiously long legs that also happen to be pretty thin. These boots aren't tight on my legs, but they don't slip or gape, either! I love how easily I can tighten the laces to make the boots fit MY legs. I think they could easily fit legs that were thicker, too, because they are so adjustable. GREAT for keeping out wet and cold!3.) Because I'm tall, I don't really want or need a pair of snow boots that adds 2-3 inches to my height. These are a GREAT flat boot that still puts some thickness between my soles and the ground. They come up pretty high on my legs, and could definitely be knee-high boots on a petite person.4.) These Pajar boots are COMFORTABLE. They give great support for snow/waterproof boots, and the fuzzy boot shaft is extra-warm on my legs!5) I typically wear a size 10, and I ordered these in a 10. They are perfect. For reference, I also wear a US Women's 10 in UGG boots, BedStu boots and sandals, and Stuart Weitzman boots.6.) These are easy to take off, making them great for travel! The laces tighten and loosen very easily, making the boots simple to slip my legs in and out of. Takes no time to remove them at the airport! YAY!In summary: BUY THESE BOOTS!!!

I would like to start with the positives about this boot: First off, I spent an entire weekend in a very cold ice arena and when I left the arena, we had weather conditions of -20 for the weekend. I wore these boots all weekend and it was the first time all winter that my feet were actually warm. It was amazing! I received a lot of compliments on these boots and for the most part, they were kind to my feet.Some interesting things about this boot: They do not look quite like the picture. The boots I received have a bottom on them, which is about 2- 3 inches thick and is the brownish-rubbery look. I have to attribute my feet staying warm, partially, to this bottom, because it keeps your feet well above the cold ground. The bottoms also are super tough looking, with snow grippers and an edged look about them. They are quite good on ice and grip really well. Just keep in mind, they look quite different than the ones pictured.A few things to consider: As other stated, the boots are a little tights around the calf area.I don't have overly big calves, but big enough to make them tight and a little tricky to zip up. You can loosen the laces a little to incorporate a better fit, but they are snug non-the-less. The insides of the boot are built to keep in the warmth, but they aren't all that soft inside, however they are still comfortable. I would buy these boots again.